Bangladesh Army to Bolster Air Defence with China-Made Missiles and Radar Systems

The Bangladesh Army is on the way to purchase advanced surface-to-air, medium-range missiles, and fire-control radar systems from China; in a decisive effort to improve its air defence capabilities. Army major generals had meetings with executives for China Vanguard Co Ltd in Dhaka on May 13, 2025, to finalise agreements in buying HQ-17AE SAMs, FK-3 MSAMs and JSG-400 radars. These advanced systems will enhance the defence architecture of Bangladesh by providing the capability of interception of several threats from the air, such as aircraft, drones, and guided munitions within different altitudes and distances.

China to Supply Advanced Missile Systems to Bangladesh

Bangladesh Army is poised to receive a full missile defence package from the Chinese defence supplier China Vanguard Co Ltd. In a high-level conference held at Dhaka Chinese executives headed by Vice-President Zeng Jia negotiated over procurement of HQ-17AE short range SAMs, FK-3 medium range SAMs and JSG-400 fire control radars with the Bangladeshi defence officials.

HQ-17AE system is an adaptation of the Russian Tor M-1 and provides interception of low and medium altitude targets in a range of 1.5 to 15 km. These mobile systems are easily deployed and come with semi-active radar homing in order to ensure greater accuracy. The FK-3, which is an export variant of China’s HQ-22 system, offers all-weather, medium-range protection with the range of up to 100 km and speeds of Mach 3, capable of taking on several aerial threats simultaneously.

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Bangladesh Expands Missile Arsenal and Navy Air Defence

With the purchase of missile systems, the Bangladesh Army considered discussing the acquisition of QW-18A MANPADS for the Navy. These are man-portable missiles which are meant to suppress low and very low altitude threats with omnidirectional anti-infrared guidance. The JSG-400 TDR radar, which is a part of the HQ-9BE defence system and already in use in Pakistan, is said to increase missile tracking and targeting abilities.

The missile infrastructure currently existing in Bangladesh includes FM-90 air defence systems of China, Turkish TRG-230 and TRG-300 rocket launchers. The new acquisitions will likely modernize and enhance the nation’s aerial and maritime defence posture tremendously.

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